FAIK there is no planned x-plane version of RC. Perhaps it was another ATC product.

Ronzie, I did not mention RC for X-Plane, I was referring to ATC built in X-Plane being worked on/completed by JD...

Negative. It's made by a guy called Chris Serio. JD's role has been a consulting one at most.

Even if his role is only to be a conlsultant - he participates in the project.And finally - he is involved in making ATC. In my opinion, it's great news the JD (even only as a consultant) attends in process of making ATC for X-Plane. It gives hope, the ATC for it will be very good and solid. I don't expect the RC5 will be ever issued.FSX is almost 5 yars old and is rather outdated (I don't even mention FS9 what is 8) and we know nothing about MS Flight but some Hawaiian screens and probably issue date on 30th of November 2011. Nobody knows it's backward compatibility, what is coverage area, how good is flight model, what about ACT and whether engine and many many other things.This uncertanity makes developers sceptial about MS Flight and led some of them to go in for X-Plane.That's my three cents.

But we do know that Prepar3D will be developed and improved. Taking into consideration that most of add-on are supposed to work flawlessly there, then... why not get RC5?

On the other end of the spectrum, without any forewarning as to when RC5 might be coming, I am now very hesitant in paying $45 for RC4.3 now when RC5 could theoretically be released tomorrow (or day, month, etc...); and then I have to pay for RC5 too? I did see if we have prior purchased we get a discount but I'm hesitant as to the fact if it is anything significant.I completely agree on Quality over Speed, but when we have to pay for the product multiple times over with no timelines into the future for considerations than it certainly makes you re-think the purchase.

I am now very hesitant in paying $45 for RC4.3 now when RC5 could theoretically be released tomorrow (or day, month, etc...);

It won't. You can buy v4.3 and when v5 does come out you will be entitled to a discount.

I'm a real-world corporate jet pilot flying an Embraer Legacy, and I'm also a serious FS9 user. I've tried FSX but it's frame rates on my performance PC are nothing compared to the consistent 40-50fps at full graphics on FS9. Consequently I returned to FS9 and won't budge. It may well be 8 years old but it's still extremely realistic. Therefore I'm kinda hoping that the eventual RC5 will also be available for FS9, as there is still a very large percentage of us out there! ;0)

Nick,You can rest assured that v5 will be compatible with both FSX and FS9. Because it interfaces via FSUIPC / FSUIPC4 there is no extra work to make it compatible with either version.